Thursday, December 6, 2007

Put To The Test

It's done. The test is done. I didn't like it, but HBF said that I was very, very brave (just close your eyes - close your eyes, hard - and clutch someone's hand and think of a happy place, or any place without long scary needles) and that I didn't hurt his hand at all when I squeezed it really, really hard. I only cried a little bit - just out of fear, really, which was unavoidable for me - and the attending OB was very kind, and by the time we were out of the amnio room my eyes were dry and I was able to focus on the pressing issue of whether HBF should fetch me cookies or a latte.

I'd like to say that the hard part is over, but it's not. Now, I'm going to lay very, very still for a day or two and pray that I don't fall into that percentage of women for whom the amnio does not end well. After that, the hardest part will be over, I think. Then all there is to do is wait for more answers. But whatever those answers are, so long as they involve a Sprout ending up in our arms, we'll be fine with them, and will proceed in the only way that we know how, with love.

oh catherine i'm so glad that the test is done.a big hug to you for being brave and going through with the test.i will be praying for the best possible outcome for your little sprout and youir family.rest well and know that we are all thinking of you.LAVANDULA

I'm glad it is over. I was doing a lot of worrying for you.Relax. Be strong. And Sprout will be fine. The hardest part is getting your mind on other things (which is why it sucks you can't drink while pregnant.)

i know i don't have much to add here, because i'm not a mom who can talk about these tests and what it must feel like to be so uncertain. i just wanted to say that i am so proud of you and honored to know you even just a little bit and that i think you are and always will be an inspiration to mothers - no, women - no, PEOPLE - everywhere.

I was 40 when I had my son. They told me even before I had my quad screen to expect a positive result. I told my OB no matter what happened, I was fine with it. As it turned out, I got a better score than most 24 year olds.

We suffered from infertility prior to conceiving our son (by IUI), and I remember two of my friends giving birth to their son, who has Down Syndrome and what they went through. I remember thinking at the time "Lord, I would take that result any day if you give me a child to love." Her experience made my decisions for me.

I've been thinking of you all day and checked in here a couple of times for an update.

Will you get initial results soon, or will you have to wait for the full report? I'm asking because with us, we got an initial report within a few days (from Thursday evening to Monday afternoon).

SO glad that HBF was on hand for his support and to fetch whatever treat you wanted. Take it easy for a few days and know you're our thoughts and prayers. Feel free to email me if you like at wvgurl at yahoo dot com.

Good job being brave. Hope you got the cookies and the latte, and that you can take it easy, in your head as well as off your feet, for a while. We (as you can clearly see from all these comments) are all wishing you well.

I love your line of thinking. I feel the same. And you know what, it probably isn't Downs. But if it is, it is still a perfect baby. Because it's meant to be here. And you will all grow bucket loads due to this precious gift. It'll be more work, but fuck it. It's gonna be worth it. I am so proud of you, and I don't even know you. MUCH luck.

wow, sorry to hear you've been going through this. I'm with you -- once you're on this side of the motherhood fence, it would be no matter what for me too. Anything else is impossible to imagine. Before I had a child (or I guess it's children now) I would have said otherwise. But yes, no matter what. Sending you vibes of strength.